Katihar drug bust: Former Bihar minister's son held with 102.79 gm heroin
Synopsis
A routine vehicle check in Katihar turned into a politically charged drug bust when one of the two men arrested with over 102 gm of heroin identified himself as the son of former Bihar minister and ex-MP Ramji Das Rishi. The second accused has prior narcotics convictions, raising questions about a wider trafficking network in Bihar's border belt.
Key Takeaways
Katihar police seized 102.79 gm of heroin (smack) during a vehicle-checking operation on 19 June on the Nisundra-Gedabari road.
Sunil Kumar , son of former Bihar minister and former MP Ramji Das Rishi , is among the two arrested; he is employed as a Rozgar Sevak in Forbesganj.
The second accused, Khushilal Mandal (24) of Purnea district, has prior narcotics cases on record.
Both accused were riding a motorcycle with no registration number and allegedly attempted to flee before being detained.
An FIR has been filed under the NDPS Act ; both accused are in judicial custody while investigators probe the supply chain.
Police in Katihar district of Bihar arrested two alleged drug smugglers and seized 102.79 gm of heroin (smack) during a vehicle-checking operation on the Nisundra-Gedabari road on 19 June, with one of the accused identifying himself as the son of a former Bihar minister and former Member of Parliament.
How the Arrests Were Made
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Phalka Station House Officer (SHO) Prahlad Yadav, along with Sub-Inspector Amar Deep Singh and the Block Development Officer. At around 7:50 am, officers attempted to stop a yellow motorcycle that reportedly bore no registration number.
When the rider allegedly attempted to flee upon spotting the police, officers surrounded and detained both occupants. A subsequent search, conducted in the presence of officials, led to the recovery of heroin from a bag allegedly carried by one of the accused.
Who Was Arrested
Sunil Kumar, a resident of Gokhlapur under Narpatganj police station in Araria district, identified himself as the son of former Bihar minister and former MP Ramji Das Rishi. Sunil Kumar is currently employed as a Rozgar Sevak in Forbesganj, according to police.
The second accused, Khushilal Mandal (24), is a resident of Bhawanipur in Purnea district and has previously been jailed in connection with narcotics smuggling cases, police said. Two mobile phones and the motorcycle used by the accused were also seized.
What Was Recovered
The 102.79 gm of heroin recovered is reportedly worth several lakhs of rupees in the illegal market, according to police. An FIR has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Investigation Under Way
Investigators are working to trace the source of the heroin consignment, its intended destination, and whether the two accused are part of a larger trafficking network. Both accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
SHO Prahlad Yadav said the district police would sustain their campaign against drug trafficking. This arrest comes amid Bihar's ongoing efforts to curb cross-district narcotics smuggling, with Katihar — bordering West Bengal and Nepal — frequently flagged as a transit corridor for contraband.
Point of View
Sharing borders with West Bengal and close to Nepal, makes it a known pressure point in the state's narcotics corridor. The presence of a repeat offender alongside a politically connected accused suggests this may not be an isolated transaction. Whether investigators pursue the supply chain or settle for a custody filing will be the real measure of this crackdown.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Katihar heroin bust on 19 June?
Two men were arrested: Sunil Kumar, a resident of Araria district who identified himself as the son of former Bihar minister and former MP Ramji Das Rishi, and Khushilal Mandal (24) of Purnea district, who has prior narcotics cases on record. Both were detained during a vehicle-checking operation on the Nisundra-Gedabari road under Phalka police station.
How much heroin was seized and what is it worth?
Police seized 102.79 gm of heroin (smack), which is reportedly worth several lakhs of rupees in the illegal market, according to officials. The contraband was recovered from a bag allegedly carried by Sunil Kumar.
Under which law have the accused been charged?
An FIR has been registered against both accused under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Both have been sent to judicial custody pending further investigation.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Investigators are working to determine the source of the heroin, its intended destination, and whether the two accused belong to a larger trafficking network. SHO Prahlad Yadav has said the district police will continue their anti-drug campaign.
Who is Ramji Das Rishi?
Ramji Das Rishi is a former Bihar minister and former Member of Parliament. His son Sunil Kumar, who is employed as a Rozgar Sevak in Forbesganj, was one of the two individuals arrested in the Katihar drug seizure on 19 June.
